Polish premier calls for democratic changes in Belarus

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for democratic changes and more human rights respect in Belarus while meeting with his Belarusian counterpart, Syarhey Sidorski, on Tuesday.

The Belarusian premier had traveled to Poland to attend a September 1 ceremony marking 70 years since the beginning of World War II.

Mr. Tusk also urged the Belarusian authorities to show more respect for the rights of ethnic minorities, the Polish prime minister’s office said.

Mr. Sidorski, for his part, reportedly thanked Poland for spearheading the launch of the European Union’s Eastern Partnership program. Both premiers expressed hope that the program would contribute to closer ties between the EU and Belarus, according to the office.

Under discussion also were economic relations between Belarus and Poland.